Don Tasks Christian Universities to Lead Nigeria’s Moral Rebuilding
…As Bingham University Holds 2nd Valedictory Lecture
Our Correspondent
Bingham University has held its Second Valedictory Lecture in honour of distinguished theologian and social ethicist, Rev. Prof. Yusufu Turaki, who is bowing out of active service at the institution.
The lecture, titled Light on the Hill: The Role of a Christian University in Shaping Nigeria’s Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Future, was delivered by Prof. Turaki, who served as Distinguished Professor of Theology and Head of the Department of Theology.
In his welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Haruna Kuje Ayuba described Prof. Turaki as a remarkable figure who embodies the spirit of the biblical Joseph.
He recalled that during his tenure as ECWA General Secretary from 1987 to 1994, Prof. Turaki was among those who dreamt of an ECWA University.
“He not only dreamt of Bingham University; he saw the dream come to fruition and has lived in the reality of that dream since he joined the University,” Prof. Ayuba said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that in recent months the University has tapped greatly from Prof. Turaki’s vast reservoir of knowledge through engagements including the University’s 3rd Public Lecture, an interactive forum with Deans, Heads of Departments and Directors, a two-day training in collaboration with the Yusufu Turaki Foundation, and a two-day Staff Seminar.
“Despite being over 80 years old, the distinguished professor never once complained or showed signs of fatigue. His dedication and humility have been quite remarkable,” he said, adding that the topic of the valedictory lecture comes at a crucial juncture as Nigeria seeks to reinforce its moral foundations and spiritual resilience.
Delivering his lecture, Prof. Turaki charged Christian universities in Nigeria to become the moral, spiritual and ethical vanguard for rebuilding the nation.
He said Nigeria’s current crisis of ethnic rivalry, religious mistrust, corruption and violence demands that Christian universities truly become a city set on a hill.
He outlined key mandates for Christian universities to include historical memory and faith, moral formation, spiritual formation, ethical formation in leadership, integrating faith and scholarship, and service and peacebuilding.
According to him, Christian universities must preserve their legacy and remain rooted in God’s law, produce graduates of integrity who fear God, and move students from sinful nature to spiritual beings through living by the Spirit.
“Leadership and governance are public morality. Staff must bring private character to public service, modelling servant leadership,” he said.
He warned against hollow philosophy, noting that human knowledge derived from reason and senses is fallen and limited and must be vetted by superior divine revelation.
Lecturers, he said, must model integrity in teaching, grading and research, while students must reject examination malpractice, sexual immorality, drug abuse and truancy.
Describing Nigeria as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural society built by different empire builders including African ancestors, Islamic Caliphates, British colonialists, Christian missionaries, nationalists and soldiers, he noted that ignorance of this context leads to poor policy-making.
Prof. Turaki clarified that leading as a Christian university is not proselytizing but contribution by character.
“When a Christian University runs a peace institute that brings Imams and Pastors, Farmers and Herders to one table, that is not proselytizing. That is peacemaking. We lead not by shouting our faith, but by living it,” he said.
He concluded that as light on the hill, Bingham University must keep burning and enlightening dark human and social dungeons.
In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty Dr. Pastor James Angbazo, JP, Aren Akun of Akun Chiefdom, Nasarawa Eggon, described Prof. Turaki as God’s gift to mankind and congratulated him for a life of mentorship and discipline that will endure.
The lecture attracted Principal Officers, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, staff and students, as well as philanthropists and family members.
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